"The grieving widow gives them both the right to do well.... And they both retain an eternal grudge with each other." from the Little Miseries of Human Life

Art Historical Context

This 1843 wood engraving by J. J. Grandville, with contributions from engravers Henri Fournier, Paul-Emile-Daurand Forgues, and Auguste Barbant, comes from the French series *Little Miseries of Human Life*. Grandville, renowned for his sharp satirical illustrations, captures the absurdities of everyday existence through witty imagery and exaggerated human interactions. The print’s ironic title highlights a widow role in sparking both opportunity and lasting resentment, reflecting the era’s fascination with social comedy and human folly. Created during France’s July Monarchy, when illustrated books and periodicals flourished, the work exemplifies wood engraving’s rise as an affordable medium for mass distribution. This technique allowed fine detail and crisp lines, making Grandville’s expressive figures accessible to a broad audience. The scene’s focus on men and women entangled in emotional conflict underscores the series’ gentle critique of domestic and societal tensions. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Drawings and Prints, the sheet (measuring 11 ¼ × 7 ½ inches) offers viewers a charming window into 19th-century humor and the enduring appeal of Grandville’s imaginative storytelling.